Author: Dave Farquhar

IBM Model M vs Cherry MX Blue

Dave Farquhar Hardware
IBM Model M vs Cherry MX Blue

To say the IBM Model M keyboard has a cult following is an understatement. Although it fell out of favor for a time, it’s made a comeback in recent years. Mechanical keyboards as a whole have also made a comeback in recent years. Cherry MX Blue switches are popular because some say they have a clicky IBM like feel. So let’s take a look at the IBM Model M vs Cherry MX Blue.

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Apple Macintosh vs Lisa

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing
Apple Macintosh vs Lisa

A coworker asked me what the difference was between the Apple Macintosh and the Lisa. Admittedly, it’s hard to compare and contrast the two. But the Lisa was more than just an expensive Macintosh. Let’s take a look at the Apple Macintosh vs Lisa.

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Should you update your BIOS? The pros and cons

Dave Farquhar Hardware
Should you update your BIOS? The pros and cons

Back when the Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities came to light, we had a spirited discussion after work about the mitigations. On some systems, The mitigations required a BIOS update. My boss asked, who updates their BIOS? Fair question. So should you update your BIOS?

I said I wanted to start using that as a job interview question. I could be convinced either way, but I want someone to be able to defend their answer. So let’s go over the pros and cons of updating your BIOS.

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Hide glue vs PVA wood glue

Dave Farquhar DIY
Hide glue vs PVA wood glue

There are many types of wood glue, and it can be confusing which one to use. Specialty glues are more expensive, but are they better? Let’s take a look at hide glue vs PVA wood glue and when each one is appropriate.

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DOS boot menu explained

Dave Farquhar DOS, Retro Computing
DOS boot menu explained

MS-DOS 6 introduced a boot menu capability, a capability PC DOS inherited. This capability had the potential to eliminate custom boot floppies, but not a lot of people used it in my experience. I have them set up on my retro PCs to good effect. So here’s the DOS boot menu explained, with useful examples.

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How to clean a membrane gaming keyboard

Dave Farquhar Hardware
How to clean a membrane gaming keyboard

Membrane gaming keyboards cost less than mechanical keyboards, but they’re expensive enough that they’re worth fixing. Here’s how to clean a membrane gaming keyboard when it gets fouled with debris.

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How to paint baseboard trim white

Dave Farquhar DIY
How to paint baseboard trim white

My friend just bought a new house. And let’s just say the previous owner didn’t take very good care of it. One of the problems he noticed, once he fixed other problems, was beat up baseboard trim. The easiest thing for him to do is paint it. Here’s how to paint baseboard trim white.

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Commodore 64 replacement rubber feet

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing
Commodore 64 replacement rubber feet

It happens on all old computers, and even some not-so-old computers. The rubber pads that sit on the bottom of Commodore 64s to protect the desk surface and keep it from sliding around can fall off, liquify, or otherwise go missing. But even though the last ever C-64 was built sometime in early 1994, you can still get Commodore 64 replacement rubber feet. Here’s how.

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Rebuild machines without making duplicates in Qualys or Tenable

Dave Farquhar security
Rebuild machines without making duplicates in Qualys or Tenable

My friend does vulnerability management for a company that likes to rebuild machines instead of patching them. I don’t judge; that’s how I wanted to patch machines when I was a sysadmin but I didn’t have fast enough storage. But if you do this, you’re liable to end up with duplicate machines in your reports. One unpatched, and the other one (hopefully) patched. Here’s how to rebuild machines without making duplicates in Qualys or Tenable.

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Refurbish a vintage ball mouse

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing

I wanted a mouse for my IBM 5170 and my 386DX-33 systems, but both of them need a serial mouse. I mean old school RS-232 serial, not USB. Finding a serial optical mouse isn’t easy. Plus I wanted something that would look the part. I got an early 90s Microsoft mouse that matches the end of the 286/386 era, and a Logitech C7, but both worked badly. So I had to learn again how to refurbish a vintage ball mouse.

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